Zombie Love #1 (My Zombie Dog by Charmaine Clancy)

Today I am showcasing one of two books that have just been released this month. They are very different, but they do have one thing in common. The Undead. -dun dun dun-

My Zombie Dog -- MG Horror

Amazon | Goodreads

Zane had the worst birthday ever. He spent it arguing with his Mum and burying a dead dog. Things just get worse. The next day Zane wakes to find the dog in his room, covered in dirt and… wagging its tail.

This is not Zane’s idea of the perfect dog. It’s shaggy, smells undead and bites people. And why do its victims all turn sluggish and keep asking for brains?

Can Zane find the solution to save his neighbourhood from a zombie plague?

This is a cool zombie story for children and young teens. It's funny, a little creepy without ever getting too scary, and the tone is perfect for its target market. Zane is a likeable narrator, and poor little Fossil is endearing, even as she decomposes. Charmaine Clancy writes well and is definitely a natural born storyteller. (And how perfect is that cover?)

-Paula Weston, author of Shadows (taken from Goodreads)

Charmaine is also hosting a majorly awesome, majorly generous giveaway of either a Kindle Fire (United States only) or a Kindle 3G. To enter you must a) buy a copy of My Zombie Dog for $2.99 or b) blog about My Zombie Dog (this includes reviews and interviews of Charmaine) or the giveaway. Bonus points are given for tweeting. Giveaway ends March 31st. Remember, you must fill out the entry form at the above link to be in the running.

Bonus Question: What inspired you to make your initial zombie an animal instead of a person?

Charmaine: The zombie creature in My Zombie Dog was inspired by... my zombie dog. No really. We had this little dog that would go totally whacko without warning and lunge and attack everything. This dog got into so many fights with much bigger dogs and during the attacks it would flop down and act dead. I thought it was many times. Then it would 'rise' again a few minutes later. This is the real 'Fossil,' who now lives with my mother where she is rewarded for keeping terrorists away from the front door. We still have our other two dogs, and they still suffer nightmares about the zombie dog.

Find Charmaine At: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ 
About Charmaine Clancy: Aussie writer Charmaine Clancy loves to create characters for mystery, fantasy and adventure. All her stories are fictional, except maybe MY ZOMBIE DOG (some say to this day you can hear her dog softly moan the plea 'braaaains').

Hellhound + Silver Waters by Kaylie Austen

Continuing with my March theme, author Kaylie Austen is here to tell you about the two books she is releasing this year; one with World Castle Publishing and one with kNight Romance Publishing. Exact release dates are to be announced.

Hellhound -- Paranormal Romantic Mystery:

Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendent of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

Silver Waters (Book One) -- YA fantasy:

After centuries of human tolerance, mythical creatures band together to liberate themselves by destroying mankind with torrents, storms, and earthquakes. Loral is the last surviving human girl. When the king’s guards drag her into the water anomaly, she transforms into a mermaid, kept as the last surviving artifact from the lost world.

After treason occurs against her prince captor (Trent), Loral flees for her life only to stumble from one deadly situation into another. Mistaking her for being a part of the propaganda against humans, the rebel prince (Tripp) kidnaps her. When he realizes her innocence, his feelings for her change, and his love for her ignites an old rivalry against Trent.

Except, Trent isn’t the biggest obstacle underwater. An insidious council of sea elves, an army of water dragons, and an untamed species of sea serpents threaten the love between the last human female and her prince.

MORE ON KAYLIE AUSTEN'S WRITING

Brooke: You have another manuscript, RAVENS, that has also been picked up by kNight Romance Publishing. From your blog I have gathered that there have been some issues with getting it ready for publication. What is the current status for this novel?

Kaylie: RAVENS hit a few snags and required major revisions. I received a good word about RAVENS. It’s been “resurrected” and will hit editing this week. RAVENS is YA Urban Fantasy, inspired by the X-Men, and involves a romance with a bad boy, a girl transformed into a Raven and hunted by humans, and a reunion with a younger sister thought to have died 10 years ago. Ravens aren't as the world wants us to believe, sinister and without human

B: In this post, you mentioned that you recently wrote a novelette length contemporary romance. From what I can gather, this is very off from your normal genres. How did it feel to write something lighter?

K: This isn’t my usual cup of tea, but sprang from a dream. It’s weird to write contemporary. I’m always tempted to throw in something supernatural or sci-fi. This turned out to be a light comedy with some big, romantic sparks. It was fun, but I don’t foresee writing a novel from it, perhaps not even another contemporary short story.

B: From your blog and website I have gathered that you are not entirely unpublished. Give us a list of all your published works (shorts, novelettes, etc.) and where we can buy them.

K: I had a series of paranormal romance novellas appear in the Weres in the City digests from Midnight Showcase in 2010. This small publisher closed its doors, so the novellas are no longer available. However, since the rights reverted to me and I’ve made significant changes, the novellas turned into an accidental novel (if that’s possible). I didn’t intend on revisiting the stories, but they beckoned and turned into a full-length novel…which turned into a five book series (in my head at least). Perhaps readers will see this series in a couple of years.

Find Kayle At: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About Kaylie Austen: I was born during a monsoon in an Indian village that lacked a doctor and a hospital but had many nesting cobras nearby. That’s the most fascinating thing about me. Other than that, I’m a true Texan, and yes, I bleed orange (Longhorns!). Currently, I reside in the Pacific Northwest with my husband. My novels include YA fantasy, YA sci-fi, and paranormal romance/mystery.

I’ve been writing since the age of ten, and completed two novels before high school graduation. I love to learn, my life is rich with culture, and I’m an undercover nerd.

Kaylie will return on Friday with a guest post on writing in multiple genres. Be sure to come back by!

If You Catch It

Go here for the prompts and challenges. I chose to do activities one, two, and three in the adult genre.

MY PITCH

The isle of Rihn is home to a rare, contagious muscle disease. If you catch it, you’re dead. Rihn’s inhabitants are trapped there, the bridge connecting them to the mainland long ago destroyed and the surrounding water a great incubation place for the disease. The people live in squander, the outside world forgotten in favor of surviving this one. But, when a plane crash gifts them with Julio, a world renowned engineer, repairing the bridge suddenly seems possible. The only thing is, if they leave their little island, the muscle disease of Rihn might not be so rare anymore.

-99 words

MY FLASH FICTION

          Julio watched his boy roll the ball up and down the stable section of the ruined bridge. A high-pitched laugh drifted on the wind. He pushed the long strands of wet hair off his forehead and glanced at his wife. She stretched out, her leg held away from her body. Her eyes met his and she smiled.
           “Don’t worry, Julio. It’s not that deep.”
           His gaze jumped to her torn leg. “Maria, you know exposed muscle triples your chances.”
           She pushed herself up on her elbows. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to catch it.”
           He picked up a handful of the rough sand, let it fall. “I told you not to dig in the trash heaps.”
           “Would you rather Javier did it instead?” She said, her soft fingers twisting through his.
           “We can survive without eating garbage.”
           She snorted. “And how do you suppose we do that? They’re never going to rebuild the bridge, Julio. The world has abandoned us from fear.”
           A splash cut through the silence. He jumped to his feet. The white ball rode the ripples caused by his son’s fall.
           He ran, knowing it was too late.
           The disease had struck.

-195 words

MY POEM

run, run, run
a s f a r ,
asfast,
as you can

run, run, run
away from the body
away from the Disease

because,
though you’re the one in front
you just might
catch It

-36 words                              

But Occasssionally, I Wanna Talk About You

In February, I wrote six posts. Three of them contained samples of my writing. One was an update on my goals and one was a wrap-up of my first author signing experience. Only one wasn't completely centered around me and it was two paragraphs of information 200 other people posted as well.

Also, with 237 followers, I have reached the point where I have a follower for each of my published posts. That could not have happened without you. I know I don't say it very often (or ever), but I love and appreciate that you all take the time to read and comment despite your busy lives and the hundreds of other great blogs out there.

So, I've decided that this month, it's all about YOU. That's right. All (or most, but all sounds better) of my posts in March are going to revolve around you guys.

• Do you have a book coming out soon? Tell me! I will either 1) write a post about it or 2) publish a post written by yourself.
• Are you hosting a giveaway, contest, or blogfest? I want to know! Again, I will either 1) write a post or 2) publish one written by you.
• Would you like to gain more exposure for yourself or your blog? Write a guest post and send it to me. I will post it!
• Does getting interviewed sound fun? All you have to do is ask! Include a link to your blog or website if you have one and your email address. I will send you eight (because seven is too clique) questions that you can answer in the email OR, if you're feeling adventurous, in a vlog.

I have already asked Kate Coursey and Chantelle Sedgwick to write guest posts. They will premiere in the later half of the month. Meanwhile, here is an interview with Kate and a post about Rachel Morgan's debut novel, Guardian. I hope you enjoy this break from all me, because next month I'll be back in full force with NaPoWriMo.

If you have any questions, suggests, or want me to host you in any of the ways mentioned above, feel free to email me at brookerbusse@yahoo.com.

P.S. If you don't know what song my title is referencing, here:

Launch Day: Guardian by Rachel Morgan

Today the Creepy Hollow series kicks off with the release of the first story, GUARDIAN!

GUARDIAN introduces readers to the magical world of Creepy Hollow, a realm where fae creatures — both safe and definitely-not-so-safe — dwell. Things are cool as long as the fae stick to their own realm. It's when they find their way into the human world that things start going wrong...

1. Receive assignment.
2. Save a life.
3. Sleep.
4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

Buy from:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords

The Creepy Hollow Series
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer

Author Info
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

To find out more about the series, the author, and the characters, check out the blog tour that’s happening over the next two weeks.

Click here for the blog tour schedule.

And there is a GIVEAWAY going on at Rachel's blog!

21 Minus Blog Tour - Kate Coursey Interview

As you may or may not know, I turned fifteen at the beginning of February. My age is not something I usually advertise, though I don't try to hide it. However, when Anna Waggener* approached me with the 21 Minus Blog Tour, how could I resist?

The 21 Minus Blog Tour is, as suggested by the title, made up of writers under the age of twenty-one. Today, March 2, the twelve of us are posting interviews with one another. However, no one knows who interviewed them because all questions were sent anonymously through Anna.

I was chosen to interview Kate Coursey. Hi, Kate! -waves-

Brooke: All of your previous novels have been YA/MG fantasy, sometimes coupled with historical fiction. From your blog, I have gathered that your newest project is contemporary. How does it feel to be working on a new genre? How do these two genres differ and how are they alike, as in content and your writing process?

Kate: Although I’m now writing stories in a contemporary setting, my work is still fantasy. I absolutely love the change. Contemporary is nice for me, as a teenager, because it’s very easy to slip into the protagonist’s voice, and I don’t have to do quite as much research regarding historical dialects and customs. The ease of world-building in contemporary fantasy is truly a relief for someone so used to historical. However, the essence of the characters remains the same. Emotions and relationships are universal, so in that sense the two genres don’t differ. It’s the main character’s internal journey that really brings a story to life.

B: You obtained an agent at the age of seventeen. How did you inform him and other agents that offered representation that you were underage? Did you mention it in your query letter or after the fact? Is this the method you suggest for other underage aspiring authors?

K: I personally decided not to reveal my age in query letters. Age can bias an agent against you before they even read sample pages, and I wanted my writing to stand on its own, without the agents’ preconceived notions about teenage writers.  That being said, two of the six agents who offered representation already knew I was 17 (Edward, because I came to him through a referral, and a second agent who I’d met in person). When I informed offering agents of my age, most of them were surprised but not put off. I would definitely recommend this route to other young aspiring authors. You don’t want agents to make snap judgements based on an ultimately insignificant number.

B: You are represented by Edward Necarsulmer IV, an agent who you heard about through a referral. Tell us about him. How is working with him? Is he helpful in your creative process? Would you recommend him to others?

K: Yes, I came to Edward through a referral from client Alane Ferguson. Edward is absolutely wonderful. He’s very well-established, business-savvy, smart, and fully dedicated to his clients. Working with him is a dream come true. Over the past eight months we’ve collaborated to revise AILLEA’S CARDS, and the notes he’s given me have been spot-on. Rather than simply asking me to change parts of my manuscript, he encourages me to delve deeper, to discover solutions that fit within my creative vision for the story as a whole. I think a big part of it is finding an agent with that same creative vision. Edward and I make a very good team, and I would certainly recommend him to any and all aspiring YA authors.

B: Teen Eyes is an editing business you run with your friend, Taryn. What do you edit and what are your fees? Why do you think being teen editors gives you an edge?

K: Taryn and I started Teen Eyes back in August. We focus on YA novels, although I also do some MG editing as well. You can find a list of our fees and services at http://teeneyeseditorial.blogspot.com (I don’t want to bore you with a list of prices). I think being teen editors gives us an edge because we have a better and more involved understanding of what modern teenagers go through. Considering rapid technology changes over the past decade, high school is very different now than it was 10, 20, 30 years ago. Obviously I can’t speak for all our clients, but I believe many of them appreciate the fresh, younger perspective we bring to the table, since YA fiction is aimed at teenagers.

B: You are also part of a teen blog, Noveltee(n), which is currently on hiatus until it can find more contributors. What are you looking for in prospective contributors? Why do you think people should become part of this endeavor?

K: Noveltee(n) is currently on hiatus due to lack of contributors as well as time constraints. Taryn and I are very busy, what with college, work, writing, editing, sports, and volunteering. We are hopeful, however, that Noveltee(n) will be revived with brand new contributors, perhaps sometime next year. Noveltee(n) started as a way to connect teenage novelists. I think it’s a great site for teens who want to network, and if we do decide to put out a call for contributors we’ll be looking for dedicated, eloquent teen bloggers who are willing to fully commit to the blog.

B: One of your biggest beliefs as a teen writer revolves around the way older writers see you. You do not want to be looked down upon because of your age. Yet, sometimes it happens. How do you think your writing career would have gone if you had waited until you were older to start writing? Do you feel you would have been less successful, more, the same?

K: There are certainly prejudices surrounding teen writers. Industry professionals don’t take young people as seriously, and mentioning age can have a negative effect during the querying process. Personally, I think age has been an asset to my career, mainly due to the PUSH Novel Contest. Working with Scholastic opened so many doors for me and I will be eternally grateful. Once published, I know my book will benefit from the marketing angle of being a young author. It’s difficult to deal with those people who look down upon me, or treat me as a child, but in the end I’m so glad to have discovered my passion at a young age.

21 Minus Bonus Question: If you had to describe your latest WIP in one word, what would it be?

K: Effervescent.

If you enjoyed Kate's answers, be sure to come back later in the month. She will be guest posting on my blog. Exact date to be announced.

*Don't forget to stop by Anna's blog to check out the book giveaway and other participants. Remember, one of them interviewed me!

NYR Update - 2 Months

I feel like the month just flew by, leaving me scrambling to try and get things done. Toward the end of the month, I started getting that familiar anxious feeling. I don't think getting a week behind on blog posts helped. However, once I caught up, I felt much better and also more productive.

1. I will have THINKING OF YOU ready for query. I have completed revisions on chapters one through three. I rewrote my blurb. You can see it on my projects page.
2. I will have two new first drafts. I came up with another idea that may lead to something of novel length.
3. I will win National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). NA
4. I will submit at least two short stories to anthologies and/or contests. NA
5. I will read at least one hundred books. I read five books this month and am halfway through two others. Goodreads informs me that I am two books behind.
6. I will post at least one vlog a month. I recorded and started editing a video.
7. I will exercise in some way once a week. I ran seven times this month, once for fifteen minutes, four times for twenty minutes, and twice for thirty minutes. I practiced choreography for our musical almost every day.

I did not try the strategy I mentioned in the first month's update: make a list of goals for every three days or week. At least, not officially. (Hurriedly written to-do lists don't count.) However, I did have another idea.

The Internet or, more specifically, social networking is my biggest distraction. While I believe that it's important, I can't let it obstruct my writing. It's impossible for me to merely cut back on my daily use. Instead I'm going to try going without for a week each month. One break will be included, however, because, as I learned this month, trying to catch up on a week's worth of posts is not fun. I also don't want to miss any important emails.

I don't know if I will implement this idea this month due to Spring Break. I will be out of town visiting family, which means I will have limited Internet access and no time to write. I don't see the point of disappearing for two weeks when I won't get to write for one of them anyway. Spring Break is part of the reason for this month's theme, which I will write a post about Tuesday, as well. (Hint, hint: It involves guest posting and promoting other writers.)

One of the productive things I did in February was revamping my blog. What do you think? Be honest.